This is definitely one of those topics that only gets more confusing the more you read. So, you need to have a philosophy about it and fit each new bit of information into your overall framework. That way, you're not constantly reeling from 'no carbs' to 'low fat' to 'grapefruits only' to whatever is in. Among physicians, there isn't any consensus about what is best for you. The only thing we can probably agree on is that no one diet suits everyone. In this section, over time, we hope to provide enough helpful information so you can make healthful decisions on your own.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is that fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should make up most of your intake. Lean protein such as fish, chicken, turkey or tofu, nuts, lentils. and beans should comprise the rest. The most important to me is eating 'whole foods' as they come out of the ground and limiting processed foods as much as possible. The food industry has studied and perfected combining the most tempting, and at times addictive, combinations of fat, salt, and sugar in restaurant and supermarket offerings. They know how to keep you coming back for more.
Varying what you eat can keep your meals interesting. I aim to include 'superfoods' such as spinach, tomatoes, pumpkin, blueberries, and hemp seed, which I think are delicious. Experiment with foods that contain antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, lycopene (think tomatoes), and beta-carotene (pumpkin and carrots). These and many others are beneficial when eaten in 'whole foods' but not when taken in pill form.
Of course, not one nutrition plan suits everyone, since food preferences or intolerance and medical issues must be considered.
But for the majority of people, if you eat whole foods and nourish your body and soul with a wholesome variety of nutritious foods, your mind and body will thank you. Often, people don't realize that fatigue, insomnia, depression, and other issues are closely tied to what we eat. In our posts in this section, we'll provide some practical information and keep you posted on the latest and greatest in nutrition news. Send us your questions!
Loving Nature in Peru
My husband and I just returned from a fabulous trip to Peru. I’m in awe of the Incan respect for the earth and how they worked within their natural environment, which happens to be magnificent. There had been many indigenous cultures prior to the Incas, but they were the most sophisticated and left the…
March for Science: Do You Want to Go Forward?
You might have guessed it, a group of Lady Docs friends and I were among the marchers in the March for Science last Saturday in Washington D.C. I did not participate in marches and rallies until recently, but as in a sign I saw and that moved me during the Women’s March last January, “the…
An Evening Ride on the C&O Canal, a Ride of Mindfulness
Are you bored with your exercise? Do you find yourself not motivated enough to get to the gym? To stay fit, are there activities that you would rather do than working out in a gym setting? A recent Harvard health blog “Find Your Exercise Style,” addressed the issue of exercise modalities in different people. In this blog, Madhuri Kale,…
Why I Will March for Science on April 22nd
Some of the other LadyDocs and I invite you to join us for an exciting event, the March for Science in Washington DC on April 22nd, Earth Day. Becoming active, vocal, and engaged with our communities about the value of science is one way we work to counter long-standing social and economic causes of poor health. Injury…
Talking to Your Spouse About Couples Therapy
Lots of people – mostly women – give my Bethesda psychotherapy practice a call to begin couples therapy. Most of the time, both spouses are committed to seeking help and we’re able to get started right away. Unfortunately, sometimes one partner is desperately wanting couples therapy but needs guidance about how to ask their spouse…
What Does JD Vance Think about the Proposed American Health Care Act and Federal Budget?
We recently held a book club to discuss JD Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy,” one of Amazon’s all time best sellers. JD Vance grew up in rural Ohio in a dysfunctional family. He eventually left his rural town, joined the marines, later went to Ohio State University before going to Yale Law school. After graduating from law school, Vance…
Parenting Our Nation Through an Adolescent Crisis
As a pediatrician, I often counsel teens and their parents. I love teenagers and yet, they are in a precarious position where they make choices that can affect their futures profoundly, and they are easily led into dangerous territory. They have amazing potential, they want to make their mark on the world and assert their…
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer will strike one of 20 people in the US over their lifetime, including both men and women. Colon cancer is curable by surgery if it is diagnosed early. Therefore, screening is recommended at age 50 for most people, age 45 for African Americans, and earlier for some people at high risk such as…
The Lady Docs Story – As Reported in Bethesda Magazine March/April Issue
We’re so proud to announce that there’s a beautiful article about the development of our Lady Docs group in this month’s issue of Bethesda Magazine – on newstands now! It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to thank the many women who have helped us grow this organization. So many have participated in organizing our exercise…
Helping Teens Understand Unhealthy Dating Relationships
Most adults would agree that the teen years can be a vulnerable period. Teens juggle the mastery of many tasks during this phase. One of the most important is developing the tools needed to form healthy partner relationships. Unfortunately, for many teens, an introduction to unhealthy relationships occurs during this time. According to the CDC,…